Terrace’s Pope Art an unknown treasure

By Rebecca Petersen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, June 28, 2008

On the road to Terrace last week was something like magic. It was just one of those nights when all of the planets lined up for a perfect evening in a perfect setting with perfect music and company and food. To set the scene you need the whole story. It all started several months ago when Jan Stenger was watching Almanac and she saw the Spaghetti Western String Company perform.

She had me check them out on U-Tube. I thought they were pretty OK — playing banjo, mandolin, cello and clarinet — with several of the guys often doubling on guitar.

Fast forward to early June. I receive an e-mail from an arts friend, Merlin Peterson, in Terrace, where he runs Pope Art. The e-mail advertised his upcoming concert series and the first program was Spaghetti Western String Company.

So, on Friday, Jan and I decided to drive down to Terrace and check it out.

It was a beautiful summer evening and we headed south on I-94 to the Alexandria/Glenwood exit. From there we headed south to Glenwood. I love it when you come up over that hill and you see big Lake Minnewaska which Glenwood clings to.

We proceeded through Glenwood, following highway 104 south for about 12 miles. Just after the highway curves east we kept our eyes peeled for the sign for Terrace. You can easily drive right past it and miss one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. It’s a hidden treasure — one of Minnesota’s best kept secrets (even more so than Fergus Falls).

Pope Art is in an old church right on the edge of town. It’s easy to find and stands out like a beacon on the hillside.

The musicians took the small, well lit stage and played the most wonderful music. It was something between Klezmer and bluegrass (but not really) and jazz and folk (but not really). It was incredible.

I could have listened all night long — and did, after buying the CD and listening to it all the way home. At intermission Merlin had set a table out in the garden complete with a candelabra, homemade brownies, coffee and water. What elegance!

After the concert we meandered down to the river and the mill and the restaurant (The Terrace Mill Store Company).

There’s this beautiful screened porch overlooking the river. They presented their dessert and wine menu and we had a hard time choosing between rhubarb/custard pie and spumoni ice cream. I was starving and they graciously offered me a grilled chicken breast salad.

So, I’ve now found another great place that’s worth the drive. Check out Terrace.

And you might have guessed — we’ll be looking for the right time to bring Spaghetti Western String Company to Fergus Falls — also worth the drive (or the bike ride).

Rebecca Petersen is the director of A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.